Ivan Hribar was a key figure in the history of Ljubljana and Slovenia. Born in 1851 in Ljubljana, he became an influential politician, historian, and publicist, contributing significantly to the modernization of Ljubljana and the development of Slovene culture and national identity.
As mayor of Ljubljana from 1896 to 1910, Hribar played a pivotal role in the city's recovery from the devastating 1895 earthquake and its transformation into a modern European capital.
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Ivan Hribar (1851-1941) transformed Ljubljana - then no more than a sprawling village into the modern city with modern infrastructure, banks, schools, culture institutions. Photo: Andrej Peunik/MGML
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As a liberal politician, Ivan Hribar promoted the idea of a United Slovenia and of merging the South Slavs into a common state. Photo: Andrej Peunik/MGML
The 1895 Earthquake and Reconstruction of Ljubljana
The 1895 earthquake was a major turning point for Ljubljana, causing significant damage to its infrastructure, including buildings, bridges, and public spaces.
Ivan Hribar, serving as the mayor at the time, saw the destruction as an opportunity to modernize the city.
His leadership in the reconstruction efforts was instrumental, as he prioritized rebuilding Ljubljana with a modern, European approach, introducing new roads, water systems, sewage systems, and public spaces.
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He takes a chance to modernise an infrastructurež, providing street signs in Slovenian, orginising sewerage, set up the schools,..Photo: wikipedia
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After 1895 and the great city modernisation, Ljubljana also aquired two new important monuments, to poet France Prešeren and a Slovene protestant reformator Primož Trubar, during his term of office. Photo: wikipedia
Collaboration with Architects, Including Jože Plečnik
A key part of Hribar’s vision for Ljubljana’s modernization was his collaboration with prominent architects, most notably Jože Plečnik. Plečnik, one of Slovenia’s most renowned architects, designed several important projects in Ljubljana, many of which were commissioned during Hribar’s tenure. Some of these iconic landmarks include the Dragon Bridge, the Triple Bridge, and the renovation of Prešeren Square.
Hribar's support for Plečnik’s architectural vision helped shape the city's unique aesthetic, blending classical and innovative elements to create a harmonious urban environment.
Hribar's collaboration extended to other architects and urban planners as well, with a focus on urban planning, street design, and the creation of green spaces. His leadership helped Ljubljana become a model of modern city planning in the early 20th century.
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Three Bridges. Photo: Aleš Fevžer/www.slovenia.info
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Dragon's Bridge. Photo: Andrej Tarfila/www.slovenia.info
The Founding of the National and University Library (NUK)
Another important contribution of Ivan Hribar was his role in the establishment of the National and University Library (NUK) in Ljubljana.
Recognizing the importance of having a central institution for the collection and preservation of Slovene cultural and scientific heritage, Hribar strongly supported the founding of NUK.
In 1907, under Hribar’s leadership, the city began to establish the library, which would become a crucial center for knowledge, research, and Slovene culture.
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He wanted to creat a range of national institutions including NUK, Slovenian Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Slovene National Theatre, Slovenian University. He made Slovenian as the only official language in Ljubljana. Photo: Miran Kambič/www.slovenia.info
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He was also a journalist, newspaper editor, translator, poet and author. In his home there's also a big biblioteque. Photo: Andrej Peunik
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He was happy to meet people at his home. His friends were Ivan Tavčar, Janez Bleiweis, Josip Jurčič, Simon Gregorčič, Jože Plečnik, Rihard Jakopič, Max Fabiani, etc. Photo: Andrej Peunik
The Legacy of Ivan Hribar
Ivan Hribar’s legacy extends far beyond his work as mayor of Ljubljana. His contributions to urban planning, cultural preservation, and the development of national institutions like NUK continue to shape the city and the country today.
Hribar’s efforts not only helped rebuild Ljubljana after the earthquake but also positioned it as a center of Slovene culture and intellectual life in the early 20th century.
His support for architects like Jože Plečnik, as well as his visionary leadership in promoting cultural institutions, made a lasting impact on the city’s architectural and cultural landscape.
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Hribar bought Villa Zlatica after the first world war, and moved in with his wife Marija and daughter Zlatica. Photo: Blaž Gutman/MGML
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Villa Zlatica today Photo: Blaž Gutman/MGML
Date: 15. January 2025
Time to read: 1 min
